Why R.L. Stine’s New Pumpkinhead Movie Is Perfect For Those Who Loved ’90s Goosebumps

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Tubi has a surprisingly good selection of horror movies, and they’ve recently added a film based on one of R.L. Stine’s most frightening stories. The movie, Pumpkinhead, is now streaming and is a great choice for anyone who grew up loving Goosebumps in the 1990s.

I grew up loving the original Goosebumps books and the TV show, so I was thrilled that this new movie, R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead, feels much more like the Goosebumps I remember. If you also enjoyed the series as a kid in the ’90s and want a nostalgic trip down memory lane, this movie is definitely for you. Here’s why…

Pumpkinhead Is Just Like The Goosebumps Series I Grew Up With

While R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead isn’t a horror classic, it definitely captures the feel of the 90s Goosebumps TV show. The story begins with a family relocating, and naturally, one of their children isn’t thrilled. Predictably, he gets into mischief, which uncovers a secret about their new home and the town itself.

Like many Goosebumps stories, Pumpkinhead follows a kid and their friend who stumble into a spooky mystery while the adults around them are completely unaware. It doesn’t break new ground with this plot, as it’s a common theme in the series. However, the movie uses this familiar setup very effectively, and because it’s not a TV episode, it has the time to fully develop the story.

What I really love is that Pumpkinhead perfectly captures the classic Goosebumps feel I’ve been looking for. While the Jack Black movie was a fun update for a new audience and the recent series tries to scare adults with bigger thrills, neither quite matches the original books and TV show. Pumpkinhead is pure, nostalgic ’90s Goosebumps at its best.

’90s Kids With Kids Of Their Own Will Want To Watch This

Many people my age still love Goosebumps because it brings back fond memories. It reminds us of elementary school book fairs and was the perfect level of spooky for kids who weren’t ready for truly terrifying horror stories.

Now that I have a daughter, I’ve noticed she’s just as fascinated with popular franchises as I was growing up. She loves things like Five Nights at Freddy’s, even though she doesn’t actually play the games or buy the merchandise. When I saw R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead, I realized it was the perfect spooky movie to share with her – something scary enough to be fun, but not so frightening that it would upset her.

My seven-year-old was completely captivated by the movie, even surprisingly patient during the commercial breaks – which, as a parent of a child used to streaming, I really understood! She said she enjoyed it overall, even though the ending had a typical, unexpected twist like you often get in R.L. Stine stories.

It’s The Perfect Balance Of Scary And Creepy Without Crossing The Line

While R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead isn’t graphic, there are definitely some frightening moments parents should be aware of. The scarecrow is a prominent and scary figure in the film and might frighten young viewers. It mainly just chases and captures people, though – there’s no gruesome eating or anything like that to worry about.

If you’re planning to let children watch this, be aware that the ending might be disturbing or upsetting for them.

If you don’t want to learn how the movie ends and spoil it for your kids, please skip ahead now!

R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead tells the story of a town where people are mysteriously turned into pumpkins to ensure a good harvest. Once transformed, everyone forgets about the person they once were, except for a few individuals. In a heartbreaking turn of events, a young boy sacrifices himself to save his brother from the curse. The film concludes with his brother and mother unknowingly driving away, having completely forgotten him, while he’s left to live with another forgotten man who experienced the same fate as a child.

So that concludes the story, and we don’t have any plans for a follow-up. It did upset my daughter, though, and she later asked me if I would ever forget her. I told her I wouldn’t, but I think other parents should be prepared for similar questions if they watch this with their children.

Where To Stream R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead

Just a reminder that you can stream R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead on Tubi. If you don’t already use Tubi, it’s a great option because it’s one of the few free streaming services available. You will see ads, but the large selection of movies and shows makes it a worthwhile exchange.

If you’re searching for good Halloween movies for kids, R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead is a surprisingly welcome find. I think my child and I will enjoy watching it for years to come as they get more comfortable with spooky content. I highly recommend it and hope it leads to more similar projects from R.L. Stine in the future.

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2025-10-29 02:09